Why aren't more university researchers engaging with the public?

Lester Graham chats with Andy Hoffman about why some researchers shy away from engaging with the public and the media.

In the last two or three decades, public discussions seem to have shifted from looking to scholars, scientists, the researchers and experts at universities to help inform the debate to relying on politicians, spinmeisters and people with microphones determining what is sound science.

All those university professors have been busy publishing in journals which other researchers read. But rigorous published research doesn't always make it to the public at large, or if it does, it's distorted by news media, pundits, or just loudmouths who twist research to support their own beliefs.

Andrew Hoffman joined us to discuss this disturbing trend. He’s a professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He teaches and researches business sustainability.